Firefighters across Somerset to strike on eight consecutive days from this weekend

FIRE service bosses have pledged to do everything possible to keep people safe during the latest round of firefighter strikes starting this weekend.

Crews will walk out between 12noon and 2pm and 10.59pm until 11.59pm over eight days from this Saturday, August 9, until the following Saturday, August 16.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union are in dispute with the Government over pension reforms they claim will mean firefighters having to tackle blazes up to the age of 60.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “It is absolutely ludicrous that a government can impose a scheme which means that firefighters will have to ride engines and rescue people from fires up to age 60.

“This is unsafe and unrealistic for both firefighters and the public.

“We know it, and the public knows it, but the government will not listen to the evidence-based case we have made to them.”

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said it has a legal duty to maintain a level of service as best it can.

He added: “We will continue to respond to 999 calls and will do everything we can to keep the public safe, including during any national fire strike.

“People can help us by taking extra care and time to think about fire safety in their home during this period - checking smoke alarms, ensuring you know what you would do if there was a fire and not making unnecessary calls to the fire and rescue service.

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“Businesses are also reminded to be mindful of their responsibilities, as during periods of industrial action the service may not be able to respond to fire safety enquiries within its usual timescales.”

The new Fire Minister, Penny Mordaunt, said her respect for firefighters and their work is her “motivation in office”.

She added: “This will not be altered or diminished by strikes or the threat of strikes.

“The action by the FBU is completely futile and counterproductive to the interests of their members and the public. I hope they will soon realise that and re-engage so we can get this situation swiftly resolved.”

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*Meanwhile, council and school staff across the country plan to escalate their strike action over pay, with another day of industrial action on Tuesday, October 14.

It follows a previous mass walkout on July 10.

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Comments (5)

Firefighters across Somerset to strike on eight consecutive days from this weekend

duckface08 says...7:01pm Mon 4 Aug 14

People are sick and fed up with these strikes which we all know are motivated by political reasons because of the upcoming General Election. Can't the agitators see that come the election the public will vote for whoever is furthest away from the unions.

People are sick and fed up with these strikes which we all know are motivated by political reasons because of the upcoming General Election. Can't the agitators see that come the election the public will vote for whoever is furthest away from the unions.duckface08

People are sick and fed up with these strikes which we all know are motivated by political reasons because of the upcoming General Election. Can't the agitators see that come the election the public will vote for whoever is furthest away from the unions.

Score: 3

Boring says...12:35am Tue 5 Aug 14

People have a right to strike, good on the fireman for standing up and being counted. Just imagine what our working conditions and pay would be like if workers throughout the ages hadn't stood up for themselves. People who knock the unions should do some research and actually see the great things they have done for working people.

People have a right to strike, good on the fireman for standing up and being counted.
Just imagine what our working conditions and pay would be like if workers throughout the ages hadn't stood up for themselves.
People who knock the unions should do some research and actually see the great things they have done for working people.Boring

People have a right to strike, good on the fireman for standing up and being counted. Just imagine what our working conditions and pay would be like if workers throughout the ages hadn't stood up for themselves. People who knock the unions should do some research and actually see the great things they have done for working people.

Score: 2

Boring says...12:38am Tue 5 Aug 14

duckface08 wrote…

People are sick and fed up with these strikes which we all know are motivated by political reasons because of the upcoming General Election. Can't the agitators see that come the election the public will vote for whoever is furthest away from the unions.

So a dispute which has been going on for at least 18 months is only due to a GE in a years time! Who are you kidding.

[quote][p][bold]duckface08[/bold] wrote:
People are sick and fed up with these strikes which we all know are motivated by political reasons because of the upcoming General Election. Can't the agitators see that come the election the public will vote for whoever is furthest away from the unions.[/p][/quote]So a dispute which has been going on for at least 18 months is only due to a GE in a years time! Who are you kidding.Boring

duckface08 wrote…

People are sick and fed up with these strikes which we all know are motivated by political reasons because of the upcoming General Election. Can't the agitators see that come the election the public will vote for whoever is furthest away from the unions.

So a dispute which has been going on for at least 18 months is only due to a GE in a years time! Who are you kidding.

Score: 8

Mi_Coc says...10:23am Tue 5 Aug 14

After 13 years of labour the public sector is so dysfunctional! You have fire-fighters, paramedics and day to worker being squeezed and having to work longer for less and people like shelia wheeler getting £160k plus £20k a year pension for a being a figure head and £30k for months of no work at all. The £300k costs for two temps at scc for one year, its criminal.

After 13 years of labour the public sector is so dysfunctional!
You have fire-fighters, paramedics and day to worker being squeezed and having to work longer for less and people like shelia wheeler getting £160k plus £20k a year pension for a being a figure head and £30k for months of no work at all.
The £300k costs for two temps at scc for one year, its criminal.Mi_Coc

After 13 years of labour the public sector is so dysfunctional! You have fire-fighters, paramedics and day to worker being squeezed and having to work longer for less and people like shelia wheeler getting £160k plus £20k a year pension for a being a figure head and £30k for months of no work at all. The £300k costs for two temps at scc for one year, its criminal.

Score: -4

Monument says...8:53am Sat 9 Aug 14

It is illegal for the Police to go on strike. It should be the same for the other Emergency Services. They hold a unique position in society and with it comes special responsibilty. If you dont like it then don't choose that as a career.

It is illegal for the Police to go on strike.
It should be the same for the other Emergency Services. They hold a unique position in society and with it comes special responsibilty. If you dont like it then don't choose that as a career.Monument

It is illegal for the Police to go on strike. It should be the same for the other Emergency Services. They hold a unique position in society and with it comes special responsibilty. If you dont like it then don't choose that as a career.

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